Omaha daily bee., 1887-12-23
RIDING IN A COFFIN.
How John McAuley Won a Rash
Wager.

Wager.
Chicago Herald: Mr.. McAuley is one
of the earliest settlers in Chicago. He
came here in 1841, when Chicago and
Podunk was struggling to see which
could wear the largest swaddling
clothes. From village of 5000 inhab-
itants he has seen the city grow to such
dimensions that it takes the whole world
to manufacture its habiliments. Mr..
McAuley's business was that of q house,
mover and raiser. When the grade of
the business portion OF the city was
changed, he was connected with the
firms which raised most of the buildings.
Although possessed of excellent busi-
ness qualities, Mr.. McAuley was at all
time eccentric. He had a great antipa-
fhy to railroad companies and disliked
to put money in their Golfers by paying
fare. In the fall of 1872 he had occasion
to visit Philadelphia. The fare at that
time was 500.
II won't pay that much," said Mr..
McAuley in conversation with II friend.
I'D rather walk" The conversation
ended in wager. Mr.. McAuley betting
that he could 60 from Chicago to Phila-
delphia on an express train for less than
$40. The amount of the wager was
small, but Mr.. McCauley's dander was
up and he determined to win it. For
three days he shut himself up in a
carpenters shop, and the result of his
labOrs was double-cased box seven feet
n leng tn by two aud One-half in width.
Holes were bored in every side to allow
him sutficiency of air, u number of
racks were placed inside the box in
which were placed quantity OF food
and an ample supply OF water. When
all arrangements had been completed
McAuley crawled into the box and the
lid was nailed down. His friends who
press wagon and had the box taken to
the express Office. Upon the upper lid :,
written in huge letters, was the follow
ing inscription:
JOHN McAULEY,
Continental Hotel,
Philadelphia, Pa.
This box must be kept in horizontal
position, as its contents will otherwise be
ruined.
The box and the contents altogether
weighed 178 pounds, and the express
charges were 1888. In an hour from
the time when he crowded into the box
Mr.. McAuley was in express car
| travelling eastward at the rate of forty
| miles an hour. Mr.. McDermott, the
other party to the wager, became fright
ened as he thought of the train speed
| ing along over the rails with his friend
| confined i'm the coffin. Knowing Nc
| Auley's eccentricities, he thought that
death might come before he would ac-
knowledge himself to be defeated. Ac-
| cOrdingly a telegram was sent to point
where it would intercept the train, and
an order was given by the express COM
| pany to refuse TO carry the box contain
ing Mr.. McAuley. Altoona, however, was
reached before the order was executed.
| 1t was about midnight when the express
| messenger opened the box, and McAuley
was sleeping as peacefully as if he were
J in his own bed at home. When the lids
| were removed he arose, stepped into the
center of the car, stretched himself out
| at full length upon pile OF packages
| and tried to continue his nap.
'You can't ride in this car" said the
messenger, 'it's against the rules"
my charges have all been paid" re-
joined Mr.. McAuley, 'and you have nc
right to put me off,"
The messenger was in a quandary
The human passage refused to leave the
car, showed the receipt for the express
| charges which McDermott had slipped
| into the box. and threatened damage
suit if he was forcibly elected. BY dint
| of arguments, threats and persuasion
| McAuley managed to remain in the car
| until Philadelphia was reached, when
he sent McDermott the following tele'
i gram:
ARRIVED as express. Total cost, in
cludiug drinks and cigars, $9.15."